Using S.A. waterways for recreation links us to them

SARA monitors water quality and turns off the water flow to the wading area in San Pedro Creek Culture Park if bacteria levels are high.

SARA monitors water quality and turns off the water flow to the wading area in San Pedro Creek Culture Park if bacteria levels are high.

Photo: Billy Calzada /San Antonio Express-News

Photo: Billy Calzada /San Antonio Express-News

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SARA monitors water quality and turns off the water flow to the wading area in San Pedro Creek Culture Park if bacteria levels are high.

SARA monitors water quality and turns off the water flow to the wading area in San Pedro Creek Culture Park if bacteria levels are high.

Photo: Billy Calzada /San Antonio Express-News

Using S.A. waterways for recreation links us to them

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The mission of the San Antonio River Authority is to ensure that the community’s most precious natural resources — the San Antonio River and its tributaries — are clean, safe and enjoyable. Improving our waterways demonstrates stewardship for these vital resources.

The most common sentiment we heard from the community during the development of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park was of the memories of families swimming and fishing in San Pedro Creek. These memories are part of our community’s culture. The Plaza de Fundación at San Pedro Creek Culture Park allows guests to wade through the ankle-deep waters of the plaza, enjoying the creek and the surroundings of the new park. Getting people back in appropriate contact with the creek by offering shallow-water wading is the first step toward creating new memories for families enjoying San Pedro Creek, which in turn will develop a new community appreciation for this important natural resource.

SARA believes that water-related recreation on local waterways should be permissible where appropriate. Shallow wading is an appropriate recreational use in the plaza, just as paddling is an appropriate recreational use for sections of the San Antonio River Walk.

SARA’s scientific experts have been gathering water quality data in the San Antonio River Basin for more than 40 years, and testing several recreational sites weekly and monitoring 85 other water quality stations throughout the basin. This data prove that the most significant contribution to pollution in our creeks and rivers comes from stormwater runoff. When rain falls on rooftops, streets, sidewalks and other hard, impervious surfaces, it accumulates pollutants, such as bacteria, metals and hydrocarbons, which flow directly into creeks and rivers. This pollution may pose health risks to humans and aquatic species.

SARA’s weekly water quality monitoring of the plaza allows it to turn off the water flow to the wading area if bacteria levels are high.

It is SARA’s belief that the more people can enjoy area creeks and rivers, the greater their personal stewardship will become, and we remain steadfast in our mission to accomplish this. And, according to results of a recent survey for the city’s SA Climate Ready process, the community agrees. Survey results indicate that cleaner rivers and streams rank in the top five priorities, along with more green space and trees, renewable energy and sidewalks. Continued public support for investing in creek and river trails, ecosystem restoration and park improvements also serves as a strong indicator of the value these resources have within the community.

Land and water are intrinsically connected. For decades, this understanding has been embraced through programs to protect the quality of recharge into the Edwards Aquifer; now we need to extend that same awareness to protecting the water quality of our creeks and rivers. We should not concede to the notion that strong economic development means more polluted waterways and increased flash flooding.

SARA is a champion promoter of the benefits of low impact development and other green infrastructure approaches that reduce the velocity of and filter pollutants from stormwater. These development strategies may also provide other benefits, including reducing street flooding, preserving open space and enhancing community walkability. Promoting these practices is more critical than ever as communities within the basin are growing rapidly.

There is more work to be done to achieve healthier, cleaner and trash-free creeks and rivers. Properly disposing of trash, picking up pet waste and reducing the water flowing off your home or business property by building a rain garden are simple and effective ways you can help improve and conserve our creeks and rivers.

For weekly recreational water quality test results, go to spcculturepark.com, and for information about SARA, water quality and watershed sustainability, visit sara-tx.org.